161002 - SundayStories

Story of Isobel Carey

Hi, I am Isobel and this is Max, he is 138cm he was so difficult and strong when I bought him he would run away at home and at competition! I was worried I would never be able to ride him, but now 1 and a half years later he loves the beach and showjumping and we are perfectly in control and get lots of clear rounds.

But sadly soon I will be too old to compete him as I must ride 148cm ponies then. But he will always be my favourite.

161002 - SundayStories

Story of Eleanna Petraki

It was two and a half years ago when i travelled abroad searching for a horse. I went to many countries travelling many miles to find the one that touched my soul. During a wet and cold morning i walked into a stable that had an indoor arena, a very small one with only four jumping fences. They brought me three horses to try but none of them 'spoke' to me.

By the time i was disappointed and ready to leave they said we have one more horse but he is older than what you are looking for. I was looking for a 6-7 year old and he was already 8. They took him out of the cramped stable where he would have to twist his body in order to turn and get out of his box. He stood there with such an empty expression.. It was mesmerising. He didn't move nor looked at any one or anything. I felt his emptiness to the bone. I got on him and i just clicked with him. I said straight away he is the one. I continued travelling across the country seeing many more horses but he was stuck in my head , so i bought him.

The first few months he was still sad you could see it from his eyes.. But now he has this sparkle, he is always ' calling me' when i arrive at the stables he is backing and kicking and running when he is free in the paddock and most importantly he gives me his whole heart his everything when jumping. Appreciation is a double way road, you have to give it before you earn it back from a horse.

160925 - SundayStories

Story of Audrey Loyy

I am Audrey, I am 12 and I live in Hong Kong. I have written a short story about how I started riding, and would like to share it with you and #sundaystories.

Since I was a little kid I adored horses a lot, and dreamt of riding horses someday. However, horse riding is not a common sport in Hong Kong.

A few years ago, my mum gave me a surprise and made my dream come true. My mum took my brother and I to a one-week horse riding summer camp in USA, where I learnt to ride on my own and also jumped a small fence for the first time. I rode a chestnut mare, called Issy. She was as gentle as a lamb and taught me how to ride and jump fences.

I worked very hard throughout the week. On the last day of the camp, our parents came to see our show ride and jump, and I was able to do the whole course perfectly and also had fun!

I was happy that I learnt so much, but also sad to leave Issy, because she inspired me to ride horses and she also took great care of me through the whole week. Iâ€™ll never forget her.

Now back home, I started to learn jumping higher fences! Thanks Issy, hope I can see you soon!

Kind regards,Audrey

160925 - SundayStories

Story of Laetizia Temerario

When I met Cassie for the first time, I knew that we will be great friends. I've always loved the character of Cassandra in greek mythology. She was saved from the slaughterhouse and when I rode her for the first times she wanted only escape and run. I was frightened by her power.

But then all changed. I became able to control her gallop and our minds were only one. She began to trust me and she followed me and stopped, when I did, without a rope. Now she isn't with me. But in our minds and in our hearts we are always togheter. I hope to meet her again a day. It's one of my biggest dream.

A kiss, Laetizia

160925 - SundayStories

Story of Julia Semenova

My name is Julia, Iâ€™m from Russia. Iâ€™m really happy to share with you my warm story and experience. I started riding about 6 years ago when I was 15. I still donâ€™t know what urged me to this, but I entered my local riding school. As itâ€™s mainly for children, I was the oldest in my group and actually couldnâ€™t get into jumping group. Fortunately, I had a great coach, and she always treated me as an athlete, and Iâ€™m grateful to her for it. She taught me to love and respect your horse no matter what, because itâ€™s a living being like us, with different moods and emotions.

So, my warm story is about one very special horse to me. His name is Jean-Douglas; heâ€™s very tall and ginger. Heâ€™s 18 years old now. When I started, my groupmates and I were afraid of him, as he was rather aggressive and it was difficult to put a halter on him. Also it was quite hard to make him move, because he always tests you, tests your persistence and will power. And from some moment I started riding him frequently, but still he was difficult to get along with. I needed a crop to show him to enter his box stall and put on a halter; otherwise he could turn back or even bite you. But time and patience did their part, and I can say that we became partners and friends.

Turned out that he is a horse with big and loving heart, but itâ€™s really hard to earn his trust, thatâ€™s why he doesnâ€™t like unknown people. With time he became more gentle and kinder, and everybody noticed that and told that Iâ€™d made something impossible. I really enjoyed spending time with him; he taught me a lot, like faith in your own strength and your horse. Every year children have a dressage test, and I took part too, as I was a beginner. And Douglas was my partner. The thing is that he is quite lazy but such a test is actually nothing for him, but you have to find a key to his heart and give him a goal to be reached. And I think that test was that goal. We trained very hard and there were some difficulties, but I always believed in him. So, we won! I was so excited and proud about him, because he proved that heâ€™s still a champion that he used to be. For me he will always be a champion.

Now Iâ€™m studying in another city and donâ€™t have enough time and money to continue riding. But horses are a part of my life, and Iâ€™m thinking on connecting my future career with horses. Also, I always try to visit Douglas when I in my hometown, and he still remembers me and we still have this bond. I wish I could buy him out and live with him on a seaside, but itâ€™s just a dream. Maybe, one day it comes true.

So, thatâ€™s my warm story and I hope youâ€™ve found it interesting.

To finish my letter I want to thank you, Luciana, for being an inspiration for many riders all over the world and wish you, your horses and your team health, luck and great achievements!

P.S. I have attached some photo with Douglas and me. Hope youâ€™ll enjoy it!

Best regards and a huge hug from

Julia

160918 - SundayStories

Story of Caroline McCoy

The shaggy, underweight, and (by the looks) psychotic Connemara pony being ridden in front of me looked nothing like the pushbutton I expected. Nothing in that mare resembled straightness, connection, or harmony. Fast forward almost four years, a nine-year-old is loping cross-rail courses and getting auto-lead changes on Willow, called â€śPony.â€ť The first year was very difficult, my trainer aiding me heavily. At the age of eleven, I had no idea how to work with a green horse. Cleaning her up was the easy part, however, teaching her the fundamentals was a whole other story. We showed very little the first year, mostly schooling shows and maybe one rated. The second year, we won high point Training Level dressage and competed in the 0.80ms and Large Pony Hunters. Our third (and best) year, we traveled to a few rated shows, pinned in all of hunter classes, placed very well in our 0.80m-0.90m courses, won high point 1st Level dressage at a rated show, and won USPC West Coast Championships with our team! My favorite things to do were to jump her over ridiculous heights bareback (in a halter!) and go for a good gallop on the trails. As long as she was going fast, she was happy. Now, I enjoy riding her bareback lightly (Iâ€™ve grown too tall to jump her big, she's only 14hh) schooling her over low fences and in dressage, and going for long trail rides. She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me, a winner or not, and has been there for me during very hard times. I will never ever regret loving her.

160918 - SundayStories

Story of Agata Beszczynska

As many young mothers, I started my own business... and during a business trip I realised that I actually needed a hospital. It was very difficult to diagnose and treat a trivial appendicitis as I was pregnant with my son, but the worst came after the surgery: I could not take any effective painkillers, I was terrified of loosing the baby, I missed badly my little daughter waiting for me at home. Unable to move, I sought solace browsing in my smartphone. Incidentally, I found a broadcast from LGCT and saw Luciana's performance, so impressive! It inspired me to create this schooling polo influenced by Luciana's look and with this message encoded: work hard on the ground, so that when you jump, you will be over the moon :) I have learned to be patient and to always look towards the positive. Thank you for inspiring me and for this chance to share my story :)

All the best, Agata

160918 - SundayStories

Story of Lisa Kreutz

â€žYou're just a little girl from east Germany, you will not reach your goals." That's what people say to me all the time. But why? I know that my goals are hard to reach. I know that I'm just a little girl from east Germany.I know that our ring isn't perfect with his deep sand and stones. I know that my horses can maybe jump a 1,45m pacours and not more. I know that I don't have a coach at this time. I know that there are a lot of riders - better riders than me - which have the same dream.

But I work hard everyday. I don't care about bloody hands. I don't care about partys.I don't care about the opinion from fake people. I just focus on my dream, my faithful horses and my, little but very important, team.Everything else is unimportant.

It's no secret that beeing an equestrian is hard. You spend a lot of time,money, love and hard work. And there will still be that phases where nothing goes right. But never ever give up. If you fight for your dreams,they will be reality someday. Always keep believing in you and your horses.I became this crazy horse a few months ago. He was very scared and we found out that he was abused in his youth. But he was different and his jumping skills were breathtaking. Because of this combonation he often changed his owner and ended by a horsedealer. So we decided to give him a home. Everyone in the barn said that my dad is crazy. They said that he couldnt buy a difficult horse like him for me. But I started loving this horse. We enjoyed long rides in the forest, walks on competiton-free sundays, cuddling in the box and I tried to show him that he can trust me.

And now we're riding our first 1,40 m competition next month.

I know that the way to the top is long and difficult, but I will do everything to reach my goals. It's just impossible if you think it is.

And when you have bad times, remember the smell of a early autuum mornings in the forest. Remember all the special moments with your horse. Remember the glory and the pain too. Remember everything you went trough in the past years. Look back and realize that everything will be allright in the future ... pain is never forever. You will regret it of you give up.